Buddy’s Place Grief and Bereavement Support Camps

Buddy’s Place is a childhood grief program, which offers family-based support groups to grieving children, teens, and their families. Throughout the summer they will be hosting Grief and Bereavement Support camps. Buddy’s Place is committed to providing a safe, accepting, and supportive environment where each family can come and express their grief and connect with others in a group setting. See the list of Grief and Bereavement camps below:

Camp: Tommy’s Kids

When: June 25-29

Where: Katherine Legge Memorial Park, Hinsdale, IL

Time: 9:00am -3:30 pm

Who: Children ages 5-12

Details: This is a 5-day bereavement day camp where children come together to talk about their loss, remember special times, meet new friends and have fun.

Camp: Journey Children’s Camp, a program of Joliet Area Community Hospice

When: June 18-21

Where: C.W Avery Family YMCA and Ira Jones Middle School, Plainfield

Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm

Who: Children ages 7-13 who have experiences the death of a loved one

Details: The camp will provide activities that are structured to help children through the natural grieving process, as well as participating in regular camp activities such as arts, crafts, swimming, hiking, sports and games.

Cost: There is a fee of $50 which includes lunch, snakes, and supplies. Scholarships are available.

Details: This is a weekend overnight adventure for families who have experienced the death of a loved one. Families come together in a supportive setting to experience the therapeutic value of nature and to share and process feelings.

Cost: There is no coat and free transportation from Geneva, Illinois is provided.

Contact: For more information or to register please visit campkesem.org

Camp: Hands Together, Heart to Art Summer Camp, sponsored by the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

When: Monday – Friday day camp, July 9-20, July 23 – August 3

Where: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

Who: This program is specifically designed for children ages 7-14 who have experienced the death of one or both parents.

Details: This camp employs the healing power of creative play using theatre, music, dance and art and emphasizes building self-esteem and problem solving.

Cost: There is $50 tuition (includes lunch) with scholarships available.

Contact: For more information or to register please contact Colt Neidhardt, HTHTA Camp Director, at (312) 341-2353 or atru-education@auditoriumtheater.org.

Website: http://hthta.org

Camp: Camp Courage, a program of Northeastern Illinois Hospice

When: July 16-19

Where: YMCA Camp Duncan, Ingleside, IL

Who: Children ages 6-13 who are grieving the death of a loved one.

Details: This is a 4-day bereavement camp for children. The camp fosters hope and healing as campers explore and express their feelings in a safe, supportive & fun environment.

Cost: The camp is no cost and donations are welcome.

Contact: For more information please call (224) 770-CARE.

Website: http://journeycare.org/campcourage/

Camp: Camp Erin, Presented in collaboration with Adventist St. Thomas Hospice and the Moyer Foundation

When: October 19-21

Where: Camp Manitoqua, Frankfurt, IL

Who: Children and teens ages 6-17

Details: This camp is a weekend long grief support camp that is designed to help children and teenagers. We combine traditional, fun camp activities with grief education and emotional support facilitated by grief professionals and trained volunteers.

Cost: There is no cost

Contact: For more information or to register please contact Laura Cottrell at 630-856-6985

Website: http://moyerfoundation.org/camps-programs/camp-erin/

Camp: Camp Sheilah, a program of Sheilah A. Doyle Foundation

When: September 7-9

Where: Camp Manitoqua, Frankfort, IL

Who: Children and teens ages 7-17. Also has programming for parents

Details: This is a 3-day bereavement camp for children who have experienced the death of a parent, legal guardian, or sibling to homicide. It is an opportunity to have fun, share your story, know you’re not alone, honor your loved one, and learn coping skills.

Cost: There is no cost

Contact: For more information or to register please contact Kelly Doyle at 708-885-3900 or kelly@sadfund.org.

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